Watch the First Public Demo of This Real, Working Hoverboard

The hoverboard is finally happening

Just in time for Back to the Future Part II to come true (well, maybe not the part about the Chicago Cubs), the Smithsonian hosted the first public demonstration of the Hendo hoverboard this weekend. The hoverboard doesn't require its own specialized track to work. Instead, it works on any conductive surface, meaning a skate park could just put a sheet of copper under a thin surface to make it hoverboard-ready.

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According to National Geographic, the Hendo uses about 40 watts of power per 2.2 pounds of weight—about a quarter the energy use of a helicopter. It creates a magnetic field between the board and a conductive surface that pushes the board away, creating the telltale hovering. NatGeo also reports that a newer, more efficient version will debut in October.

This hoverboard will set you back a lot: pre-sales start around $10,000. Hendo sees the hoverboard as a "stepping stone" towards other magnetic levitation transportation options ... meaning you might get a hovering public bus before a flying one.